Officers

SAY HELLO TO OUR 2022-2023 OFFICERS!

President

Jaqueline Valdez

Hi everyone! My name is Jaqueline Valdez (feel free to call me Jackie!), and I am the President for POPS this year!
I'm a fourth year BSA Neuroscience major from Houston, Texas. When I'm not busy with school work, you can catch me either bundled up watching some of my comfort movies and shows or having wholesome days with friends. I love reading (romance and historical fiction are my fav genres), trying out new restaurants, and exploring the cities of Houston and Austin. Aside from my coffee addiction, I also love boba and am always down to try out new shops! I love going to concerts, going on spontaneous mini road trips, and taking my parents out to see new things (they're my besties, too). POPS has helped me further explore the field of optometry and reassured me that this is the field I want to pursue. I've also met so many wonderful people and have formed great friendships within the org. I'm so excited to meet all of you!! I'm always a text or call away if y'all ever need anything! SEE you all at our next meeting :)

External Vice President

Mindy FU

Hi everyone! My name is Mindy Fu, and I am your POPS Vice President External this year!

I am a third-year Biology major with a huge love for optometry! In my free time, I like spending time with friends, shopping, trying new foods (the weirder, the better), hiking, reading, volunteering, and watching all things Disney.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about shadowing and working as an optometric technician or how to prepare for optometry school. Also, let me know if you just want to hang out! EYE am very excited for a POPpin year with you all and hope you don’t think I am too CORNEA!

INternal Vice President

Katherine LA

Hi friends!!

My name is Katherine La, and I’m this year’s POPS Internal Vice President! I’m a senior Biology BSA major from Austin, TX. When I am not studying or working, I enjoy reading, watching kdramas, listening to music, shopping and hanging out with friends and family!! I joined POPS to find a community with the same passion in optometry and ever since, POPS has been such a memorable part of my time here at UT. It has not only provided me the opportunity to learn more about my future career but I have also met some of the most supportive and genuine group of people through POPS and have found some of my closest friends. If you have any questions or need anything, feel free to reach out to me anytime, we are in this journey together! EYE am so excited to meet everyone!! :)

Secretary

Amanda Fragoso

Hey y'all! My name is Amanda Fragoso and I am your secretary for this year.

I'm a fourth year Biology B.S.A. major with a minor in business and I'm from Dallas, Tx. When I am not studying, I enjoy working out, going on hikes, and hanging out with my friends. Like many college students, I have a serious coffee addiction and would love to explore coffee shops in Austin with any of y'all! Some of my favorite movies include Guardians of the Galaxy, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shrek 1 and 2. I enjoy working as an optometry technician at BVo Vision, where I get to interact with patients and gain exposure to the field of optometry. Joining POPS my freshman year reinforced my passion for optometry and it has kept me motivated amidst challenges. I love being in a community of likeminded individuals who are equally passionate and working towards the same goal. I am very excited to get to meet all of you and to form a tight knit community this year!

Treasurer

Anna PHAM

Hi everyone! My name is Anna Pham, and I am this year’s treasurer.

I’m a fourth year Biology BSA major, and I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. When I’m not in school or working as an optometric technician I like to watch shows/movies, travel, shop, and hang out with friends! I really enjoyed my past year in POPS by meeting new people and learning more about the path to Optometry. I hope to have another great year and am so excited to see y’all!

Social Chair

Makayla Henry

Hi everyone! My name is Makayla Henry and I am this years social chair. 🦋

I am a third year Biology major with a minor in business and I am expected to graduate in Spring 2023. I am from a small town down South called Hebbronville. Outside of POPS, I work as a receptionist for workmen’s composition cases on week days and I work as an optometric technician on the weekends. When I’m not studying or working, I enjoy spending time with friends, family, and my 2 lovely dogs. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and create memories at all of our fun socials! Welcome to POPS; it is going to be a great year! ♥️

Volunteer Coordinator

Mindy Nguyen

Hello hello! I’m Mindy Nguyen, your volunteer coordinator this year :D

I’m a second year kinesiology major from Austin, TX. Outside of POPS, I work as an optometric technician and am an officer for the esports club: UT CS:GO. I like hikes, video games, and a little bit of rock climbing. I also love concerts!

Feel free to message me to do any of the above or if you have any questions regarding optometry, I’m always down to talk.

Historian

Anjali SIby

Hi everyone! My name is Anjali Siby, and I am the Historian for POPS this year!

I’m a second year Biology B.S.A. major and a Business minor from Round Rock, TX. In my free time, I love to dance, hike, explore new places and try new foods (I’m a huge foodie!), watch TV, and hang out with my family and friends. I joined POPS to be a community where everyone has the same interests as me and is working towards the same goal. POPS has given me so many of my closest friends as well as tons of opportunities to shadow, volunteer, work, and prep for the OAT. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me! I’m so excited to meet everyone! Welcome to POPS!!! :)

Officer Duties & Responsibilities

President

Be the official representative of POPS at all events, meetings, and conferences
Preside over organization meetings and activities
Initiate committees as the need arises, with the consent of the organization
Reserve rooms and plan for general meetings and officer meetings
Invite guest speakers
Organize all tours, field trips, and major events
Help keep officers on task and aid with certain responsibilities as needed
Send out all job opportunity emails to paid members when available
Keep organization’s documents and other miscellaneous papers together
Pass on all documents and miscellaneous papers to the President-elect
Be the authorized representative for all of the organization’s financial holdings alongside the Treasurer

External Vice President

Assume Presidential duties if the President is absent from meetings
Assist President in managing and coordinating meetings, events, and activities
Attend other functions in the President’s absence
Write "Thank You" cards to all of our guest speakers and buy gifts of gratitude for selected speakers
Carry out other duties as assigned by the President
Compile a list of doctors that are willing to let students shadow them
Secure sponsorships for organization

Internal Vice President

Oversee OptoFamily program and keep track of OptoFamily points
Design and order T-shirts
Seek out and be in contact with other university-affiliated organizations and departments as directed by the President
Create fliers for upcoming general meetings
Collect extra brochures and documents from speakers and pass out when necessary

Secretary

Create and update website
Take attendance at all meetings and events
Pass out and compile the info sheets on all members
Keep track of membership points for all events and meetings
Make the newsletters for each meeting and pass out to members
Update and manage the website regularly with announcements, member points, and other miscellaneous documents

Treasurer

Collect dues and keep record of all payments
Deposit money into the bank
Reimburse members for meeting supplies, t-shirts, etc.
Set budgets during the year including meetings, socials, etc.
Organize and oversee fundraisers
Be an authorized representative and keep records of all transactions with the bank

Volunteer Coordinator

Inform and remind members about new volunteer opportunities
Help promote volunteer events related to the healthcare profession
Be aware of possible volunteer opportunities throughout the semester
Communicate and coordinate volunteering events with organizations both on-campus and off-campus and update the President with logistics
Attend all volunteering events

Social Chair

Plan, manage, and oversee all social events during the year
Coordinate intramural sports
Plan end-of-year banquet
Manage and oversee all social media alongside the Historian

Historian

Take pictures at meetings and events and upload to the website
Create banner design for UH Spring Conference
Organize the scrapbook with help from members
Create banquet slideshow at the end of the year
Create signage, posters, and graphics for events
Manage and oversee all social media alongside the Social Chair